Tobacco heating and curing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pipeless tobacco curing apparatus including a cylindrical heat chamber having a plurality of releasable heat outlets extending radially therefrom and a conical hood mounted in spaced relation with respect to a slanted roof supported by brackets releasably secured to the chamber. Air is forced by a blower intermediate the hood and roof in directions generally radially of the chamber and over the heat outlets while being controlled by a series of air deflectors.

. [451 June 13, 1972 United States Patent Jones [54) TOBACCO HEATING AND CURING 3,007,689 11/1961 Mayo...................................263/l9 D APPARATUS 2,752,144 6/1956 Oldenkamp etal....... 263/19 D 3,388,900 6/1968 Taylor........................... .'...263/l9 D [72] Inventor: Donald E. Jones, Clinton, NC.

Primary Examiner-John .I. Camby AnorneyDavid Rabin [73] Assignee: Vann Industries, lnc., Clinton, NC.

[22] Filed: June 1, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 41,889

ABSTRACT A pipeless tobacco curing apparatus including a cylindrical heat chamber having a plurality of releasable heat outlets extending radially therefrom and a conical hood mounted in D spaced relation with respect to a slanted roof supported by brackets releasably secured to the chamber. Air is [51] Int. [58] Field ofSearch forced by a blower intermediate the hood and roof in directions generally radially of the chamber and over the heat outlets while being controlled by a series of air deflectors.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1o Claim, 4 Drawing Figures 3,437,323 Thomas...............................263/l9D PATENTEnJuu 13 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 FIG INVENTOR DONALD E. JONES PATENTEDJUN 13 I972 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG.4

INVENTOR DONALD E. JONES TOBACCO HEATING AND CURING APPARATUS BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION A This invention relates to a heating system and more particularly to a system for use within enclosures such as barns and similar constructions where tobacco is to be dried and cured. The tobacco normally is suspended in the upper area of the enclosure so as to leave a space between the area occupied by the tobacco and the floor during the curing process.

Briefly, the pipeless heating apparatus of this invention incorporates a heat chamber having a conventional burner unit positioned therein. Air is forced downwardly over the top of the heat chamber by an electrically operated fan to distribute heat downwardly towards the floor of the enclosure allowing a greater area to be heated uniformly. The heat chamber is provided with a plurality of heat distribution outlets located around the circumference thereof. Air vanes are adjustably positioned above each heat outlet for directing the heat currents to various predetermined areas of the enclosure in a controlled manner resulting in a heating apparatus of greatly improved efficiency.

The fan cover roof and the tobacco curer roof are cone shaped, being angled vertically to the floor, thereby permitting any tobacco leaves that may fall thereon to slide off to the floor or ground thus reducing fire hazards.

The heat outlet extension and roof support hangers are releasably supported upon the heat chamber exterior wall permitting the tobacco curing unit to be readily and conveniently dismantled or assembled when installing or transferring the curer through limited access areas.

\ One of the primary objects of this invention is the provision of a heating apparatus for distributing heat in a manner to assure an even and positive flow of air to a prescribed area of an enclosure containing tobacco leaves to insure that the leaves receive uniform treatment during the curing operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a heating apparatus having slanted roof portions for allowing tobacco leaves that may fall thereon to slide off and be directed towards the floor thus greatly increasing the safety of the unit by eliminating fire hazards.

Still another object of the invention is a heating apparatus for curing tobacco including means for controlling the flow of heat currents to prescribed areas within an enclosure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a heating unit which is efficient in operation, and which is of durable and relatively simple construction.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a heating apparatus capable of being readily assembled and disassembled by utilizing components that may be releasably secured in assembled relation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed descriptIOI'I.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. I is a side elevational view of the tobacco curer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tobacco curer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner of mounting a heat outlet extension on the heat chamber side wall; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the means for mounting the tobacco curer roof supporting brackets upon the heat chamber side wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The side wall 12 is provided with a series of circular openings 20, preferably equally spaced about the circumference, each releasably receiving a heat distribution outlet extension 22. Preferably the extensions 22 are of a cylindrical configuration having an outside diameter roughly corresponding in size to the diameter of opening 20 so as to be receivable therein. In order to secure the extensions to the chamber side wall 12, a pair of cars 24, spaced on the circumference of extension 22, are adapted to be inserted through equally spaced slots 26 in side wall 12 and the extension 22 rotated to prevent the extension from being withdrawn from the opening 20, FIG. 3. The extension 22 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed tabs 28 for limiting the displacement of the extension through the opening 20. The tabs 28 and ears 24 are spaced longitudinally of the extension a distance slightly greater than but corresponding roughly to the thickness of the side wall 12. Once the ears have been inserted through slots 26, the extension 22 is rotated a predetermined amount such that ears 24 and tabs 28 are in confronting relation with opposite sides of the wall 12 to support the extensions upon the side wall. The extensions may be fixed to wall 12 by providing openings 30 and 32 in the'tabs 28 and wall 12 which are capable of being aligned for receiving suitable fasteners 34. Each heat outlet extension is provided with a conventional control damper 36 adjustably positioned by damper knob 38.

A generally cone-shaped cylindrical housing or roof 40 is maintained in spaced relation above the chamber hood 14 to define an air flow chamber or passageway 42 therebetween. The slanted roof 40 is supported by a series of brackets 44 radiating from the cylindrical chamber side wall 12 as shown by FIGS. 1 and 2. 1

Extending rearwardly from the base portion 46 of each support bracket 44 are a plurality of offset, hook-like fastening lugs 48, FIG. 4, for facilitating mounting of the brackets on the side wall 12. The lugs 48 are spaced and aligned to be received within aligned, spaced openings 50 formed in wall 12. The bracket 44 is mounted on the side wall by inserting the offset lugs 48 through openings 50 and pressing downwardly on the bracket to hook the lugs 48 over the bottom edge of openings 50. The lugs 48 are in a plane offset from the plane of the base 46 a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the material forming side wall 12 to afford a rigid connection between the wall and the bracket. The brackets can be readily removed by raising the lugs 48 sufficiently to permit them to slide out of openings 50. The outermost portion of each bracket 44 is provided with an upturned lip 52 to retain the slanted roof 40 thereon.

Located above each heat distribution outlet extension 22 is an adjustable air directional deflector or vane 54 for directing heat currents to various areas within the enclosure or barn. Each vane 54 is pivoted upon a pin 56, or other suitable means, to the slanted roof 40 for adjustable displacement through an arc of approximately 45".

A circular opening 58 provided in the slanted roof 40 is centered above the conical hood 14 of the chamber 10. A support 60 is secured to the roof 40 and encircles opening 58 for housing a fan or blower 62 which is driven by a motor 64. A slanted roof or motor cover 66 is spaced above support 60 by legs 68 to provide an opening 70 therebetween. The blower 62 causes air to be drawn through opening 70 and forced over the conical hood 14 of heat chamber- I0 through air flow passageway.

- 42 to direct air in all directions around the circumference of the chamber 10. As air is forced downward by the fan 62, heat radiating from hood 14 is directed downward towards the floor allowing the heat to be evenly distributed over a greater I area. Thus, an immediate rise of heat, which is common in conventional or flat top tobacco curers, is eliminated.

The air currents being forced over the hood l4 and over the heat outlets 22 can be controlled by the adjustable vanes 54 to direct the heated air to various areas of an enclosure providing the necessary heat for the tobacco curing process, thus resulting in greatly improved efficiency over a conventional tobacco curing heating unit.

While the description refers to one tobacco curing unit, it will be recognized that a plurality of such units may be employed within a tobacco barn depending upon the size and configuration thereof.

I claim:

1. A pipeless heating apparatus for drying and curing tobacco within an enclosure comprising: a combustion chamber including a side wall and a slanted hood for receiving a heating unit therein, angularly disposed roof means, having an opening therein, positioned above and in spaced, generally parallel relation with said slanted hood to define a downwardly directed air passage intermediate said roof means and said hood, means positioned above said roof means adjacent said roof opening for forcing air to flow outwardly over said hood and through said passage to direct air around the perimeter of said combustion chamber, and vertically disposed deflector means within said air passage for directing air forced through said passage to a preselected area in a controlled manner.

2. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said hood is of a conical configuration for cooperating with said slanted roof means for directing air downwardly towards the enclosure floor.

3. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said deflector means within said air passage includes a plurality of pivotably mounted deflectors adjustable for distributing air evenly over a prescribed area in a controlled manner.

4. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 3, and further including heat distribution outlet means on said side wall positioned adjacent said air distributing means.

5. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said side wall is generally cylindrical and defines a plurality of outlets for distributing heat from within said combustion chamber. 1

6. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including extension means extending radially from said side wall at each of said heat outlets.

7. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 6, said extension means including detents cooperating with said side wall for releasably securing said extension means thereto.

8. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim I, further including means releasably secured to said side wall for supporting said roof means in spaced relation above said hood. 1

9. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means for forcing air including a blower unit supported by said roof means.

10. A pipeless heating apparatus as'defined in claim 6, further including means associated with said heat outlet extension means to deflect the air flow through said passage in a prescribed direction. 

1. A pipeless heating apparatus for drying and curing tobacco within an enclosure comprising: a combustion chamber including a side wall and a slanted hood for receiving a heating unit therein, angularly disposed roof means, having an opening therein, positioned above and in spaced, generally parallel relation with said slanted hood to define a downwardly directed air passage intermediate said roof means and said hood, means positioned above said roof means adjacent said roof opening for forcing air to flow outwardly over said hood and through said passage to direct air around the perimeter of said combustion chamber, and vertically disposed deflector means within said air passage for directing air forced through said passage to a preselected area in a controlled manner.
 2. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said hood is of a conical configuration for cooperating with said slanted roof means for directing air downwardly towards the enclosure floor.
 3. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said deflector means within said air passage includes a plurality of pivotably mounted deflectors adjustable for distributing air evenly over a prescribed area in a controlled manner.
 4. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 3, and further including heat distribution outlet means on said side wall positioned adjacent said air distributing means.
 5. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said side wall is generally cylindrical and defines a plurality of outlets for distributing heat from within said combustion chamber.
 6. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including extension means extending radially from said side wall at each of said heat outlets.
 7. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 6, said extension means including detents cooperating with said side wall for releasably securing said extension means thereto.
 8. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means releasably secured to said side wall for supporting said roof means in spaced relation above said hood.
 9. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means for forcing air including a blower unit supported by said roof means.
 10. A pipeless heating apparatus as defined in claim 6, further including means associated with said heat outlet extension means to deflect the air flow through said passage in a prescribed direction. 